SB 689 allows cities to extend the lifespan of tax incremental districts (TIDs) used for housing projects by up to three years after initial development costs are paid. Cities must obtain joint review board approval for extensions longer than one year. This change applies to existing TIDs focused on improving housing stock, giving cities more time to complete development projects using tax increment funds. The bill modifies statutes to clarify extension rules while maintaining oversight requirements.
AB 784 creates a Multifamily Housing Innovation Council within the Department of Safety and Professional Services to develop safety guidelines for apartment buildings. The bill allows local governments to permit multifamily buildings up to six stories to use a single stairway for egress, provided they follow a safety guidebook developed by the council. The council must create this guidebook (ensuring compliance with National Fire Protection Association standards) and a model ordinance to help communities allow apartment construction on commercial-zoned land. This directly affects local governments, developers, and fire safety standards for new residential construction.
SB 771 creates a Multifamily Housing Innovation Council within the Department of Safety and Professional Services to develop safety guidelines for apartment buildings. The bill allows local governments to permit multifamily dwellings up to six stories to use a single central staircase (instead of multiple staircases) if they follow a safety guidebook created by the council. The council will establish building specifications meeting National Fire Protection Association standards, develop a model ordinance for local adoption, and recommend code changes to facilitate such housing. This affects developers, local governments, and residents in communities adopting the new guidelines, with the council required to meet monthly until completing its guidebook. The bill does not mandate single-stair buildings but provides a framework for localities to adopt them safely.
SB 472 amends state statutes to require local governments (cities, towns, and counties) to include specific elements in their comprehensive plans for residential development. Key provisions mandate that plans detail current land uses, analyze trends, project future residential densities in 5-year increments, and include maps showing environmentally sensitive areas. The bill also clarifies that enacting a comprehensive plan does not automatically make it a regulation and requires ordinances affecting residential development to align with the plan's approved density standards. These changes apply to local governments engaging in residential development programs, aiming to standardize planning processes and ensure consistency between zoning decisions and long-term land use goals.
AB 671 mandates the Department of Administration to study redundant federal, state, and local requirements for constructing new housing (including single-family, duplex, and multifamily units). The study must identify overlapping or unnecessary rules and submit a report with legislative recommendations within one year of the bill's effective date. This bill does not create new laws but directs a formal review to potentially streamline housing construction regulations. It directly affects future legislative decisions on housing policy, not current construction practices.
SB 385 increases funding for Wisconsin's Veterans Housing and Recovery Program. It adds $900,000 for fiscal year 2025-26 and $1,050,000 for 2026-27 to cover program supplies, services, and leasing a new facility in Chippewa Falls. The additional funds address space limitations and facility deficiencies at the current location. This bill directly affects veterans participating in the housing program by ensuring continued support through improved resources and accommodations. The changes are purely fiscal, with no new policy requirements for veterans or service providers.
AB 453 requires counties and cities to include specific elements in their comprehensive land-use plans, such as 20-year projections of residential development (in 5-year increments) and maps showing current/future land uses, including environmentally sensitive areas. It mandates that local ordinances related to residential development must align with these plans, though density requirements (specifying minimum/maximum residential units per acre) apply only to cities, not towns or counties. The bill affects local governments by standardizing planning processes for residential growth and ensuring consistency between zoning rules and long-term land-use goals. It does not create new taxes or funding but updates existing planning statute requirements.
AB 280 amends Wisconsin tax credit rules to allow businesses to claim up to 15% of qualifying investments in workforce housing (for employees) and childcare programs as tax credits. It directly affects businesses that build, rehab, or establish housing/childcare for their employees, including contributions made to third parties like local revolving loan funds. The bill defines "investments" to include both direct capital expenditures and third-party contributions toward these projects. The tax credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and is administered by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
AB 597 creates a state matching grant program that provides $25 per day per veteran to eligible housing providers who receive federal per diem payments under 38 USC 2012. It directly affects organizations housing veterans who qualify for federal per diem payments, such as veteran service nonprofits or shelters. The program funds up to 365 days per year per veteran, with quarterly payments based on the previous quarter's housing. Grants are limited to $25/day and require annual applications through the state department.
SB 208 prohibits hedge funds (defined as entities managing $50 million+ in pooled investor funds) from acquiring or owning single-family homes in the state. It specifically targets new acquisitions after the law's effective date, requiring any violation to forfeit the property to the state, enforced by the attorney general. Existing ownership before the effective date is not affected. The bill directly impacts hedge funds meeting its financial and structural criteria, not other investors or property types. It does not alter existing ownership rights but prevents new purchases by covered hedge funds.
